Brady Remington Landed Me in Jail(7)

I looked back and saw Brady against a truck with his head bent forward. One of his hands was splayed on the small of Clarissa's back underneath her halter top. A white shirt had been given to him, but he'd only thrown it over his shoulder. He looked too comfortable in his skin.

I almost hated him because of that thought—just for a moment. It seemed unfair that he was so confident while the rest of us just…became comfortable at pretending.

"You like him, don't you?" the boy asked.

"Oh…well…it's Brady." What else could a person say? I shrugged.

He nodded, as if he understood, but I still caught a flash of resentment. "I'm Joshua." He swung a hand to me as he leaned against the tree and I could feel his breath on me. As I shook his hand, I was startled to realize that they were a little rough on the inside.

"How old are you?" I glanced down to hide my blush.

Joshua chuckled and released my hand. "I'm a senior…or I was a senior from Black Ham. I'm here visiting with my cousin." He folded his arms and tucked his hands underneath, which accentuated his lean body. His shirt stretched across his chest and I could see his stomach muscles bunch under his shirt.

"Why'd you ask how old I am?" His eyes seemed to be laughing at me.

"Oh, uh…you just look young."

"So do you. How old are you?"

"I'm a senior here."

"So you're graduating next week." Joshua grinned and leaned closer.

"Uh…" I stepped back, just an inch, but his lips quirked at the movement. "Yeah, I'm graduating next week."

"So you're celebrating this weekend? I heard your classmates are having an all weekend bash."

"I guess, but I don't usually come to these things." A small group had congregated around a truck while a few girls danced to the music, their movements sloppy and drunk.

Joshua scanned the group too. "Is this your entire grade?"

"We come from a small town."

"My cousin's from here. He wanted to come back and see some old friends, but…" He hesitated to finish his statement, but I watched as his eyes darted back to Brady and harden. "Let's just say that I'm more welcome than my cousin."

"Who's your cousin?"

Joshua watched me intently. "Kidrick Stephens."

My eyes widened. "Oh."

"Yeah. Oh," Joshua bit out and glared over my shoulder. "That Brady kid busted up my cousin at a party. I didn't even know what was going on. I was too far away and by the time I heard Kid was taken to the hospital, that kid was already in handcuffs. Now look, he's back here and chatting her up again."

The fact that Brady had been chatting with Clarissa shouldn't have affected me. It wasn't a surprise. They were on friendly terms and sometimes more than friendly terms, but I couldn't ignore the stab of pain. I peeked over my shoulder and swallowed tightly when I caught Brady's glare. He wanted to know what I was doing.

As if he couldn't remember.

I rolled my eyes, this was his idea. He wanted me to loosen up, well I would. Joshua was going to help me.

"Oh, now look at him," Joshua said. "He must've heard that I'm Kid's cousin. Maybe he'll come over and try something with me."

I sent Brady a scathing glare before I turned back to Joshua. "Why'd they get in a fight?"

Joshua just looked at me.

"I mean if it was something Kid said or—"

"What makes you think it was something that Kid said? It was that guy over there. I know my cousin. He doesn't fight. That guy went psycho on him. That's what happened."

Brady got into his fair share of fights and most of them were his fault, but he never started one unless provoked. It was just that he was too easily provoked. "I know Brady and he doesn't react like that unless something's been said."

Joshua sighed in disgust. "I thought you were different. I mean, you look different. You don't look like them and yet, you're defending him—like them."

I was different.

Joshua taunted, "You'd probably sleep with the guy if given a chance. Wouldn't you?"

I sucked in my breath and froze. I blinked back tears, but Joshua saw it all and laughed. "See. You would, wouldn't you?"

"You don't know what you're talking about." I still blinked away more tears. "You don't know me or Brady or anyone here. Who are you to judge us?"

Joshua stared. "Sorry. You're right. It's none of my business if you like the guy or not. I don't know you. I don't need to care about you."

"You shouldn't judge, me or him."

Joshua shot me a look. "I wouldn't go that far. He put my cousin in the hospital. I can judge all I want."

"Yeah, but—" I'd been about to argue the same argument, Brady only fought if and when provoked, but Joshua silenced me when he leaned forward and put his mouth on mine. I gasped and then his lips moved over mine. He drew me against his chest and shifted closer with a hand around my neck. His head tilted for a better angle.

I did nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Joshua's hand slid down my back and pressed my hips against his.

Oh, God…I silently chanted in my head.